Vince Lombardi High School greets its latest principal, Ms. Togar (Mary Woronov), replacing yet another principal who went mad trying to keep the kids in line. Togar sets her evil sights on Riff Randall (P.J. Soles), who's popular, sexy, uncontrollable... and is the school's biggest fan of the Ramones. When the Ramones are scheduled to tour through the city, Riff tries out various schemes to ensure she gets to see the concert and even meet the band to give them a song she's written... but Togar wants Riff punished with detentions for eternity if it means getting rid of rock and roll from the school.

A sequel followed called Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever, which featured a few returning characters in addition to many new ones.

Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Quoth Mr. McGree, "You know, people say your music is loud and destructive and lethal to mice, but, I think you're the Beethovens of our time."

As Themselves: The Ramones, natch. Vince Lombardi only appears in photos.

Berserk Button: As soon as Principal Togar sets her students' records on fire, the students RIOT, put out the bonfire as quickly as possible, and then take over the school with help from their favorite band, The Ramones, whose concert they (and Mr. McGree) had attended the night before.

Big Damn Heroes: The Ramones appear right when Mrs. Togar tries to burn her student's records — and just as the students are putting out the fire.

Book Dumb: Riff gives barely a thought to her studies, yet has amassed quite an impressive songwriting portfolio.

Can count as an In-Joke as none of the band were actually related; the name was taken from an early alias of Paul McCartney. The stage names, and the gimmick of the boys pretending to be brothers, were both Dee Dee's idea.

Chainsaw Good: At the end, Riff takes a chainsaw to the permanent records.

Cool Car: The customized Chevy Van that Eaglebauer provides for Tom for his big date, and the '59 Cadillac convertible used by the Ramones.

Cool Old Guy: Mr. McGree who by the end, becomes the only teacher who supports the students' revolt, and dances with Riff.

Fake-Out Make-Out: Features a solo Fakeout Makeout in which one of the protagonists turns towards a corner, wraps his arms around himself and mimics the sounds of a couple making out, successfully fooling his pursuers.

Gambit Roulette: There's no way Riff and her friend planned on getting their tickets back because they didn't plan that method — the RADIO STATION did. What's more, the station itself didn't hear of Riff's latest confrontation with Principal Togar, making this a mix of this and Spanner in the Works.

Parental Abandonment: When Riff tries to excuse herself from school in order to wait in line for Ramones tickets: she sends letters claiming her father, her mother, and her goldfish die. Ms. Togar proves she lied when her school guards find the goldfish alive and well.

Togar: We can assume the parents are still alive... somewhere.

The Power of Rock: The Ramones using rock and roll to help take over a high school? It doesn't get much cooler than that.

Precision F-Strike: "Screw you, Mrs. Togar, we made it to the concert anyway!" Worth mentioning because it was spoken over the radio.

Bread, Eggs, Milk, Squick: Inverted when Principal Vadar lists the punishable offenses under her new regime. Singing and dancing are at the top, while smoking is considered among the least offensive to her.

A Nazi by Any Other Name: Principal Vadar. Unlike Mrs. Togar from the first film, she actually turns her school into a concentration camp.

Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Since McGree started running things, Rock N Roll High School Day has become an annual tradition at the school (which had relocated due to the destruction of the previous location in the first film). This contributes to the school landing on probation for consecutive years, which gives rise to the regime of Principal Vadar...

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